The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-15
100000 BLAZE.
5000 Bales of Cotton Burned.
The City Of Little Rock Threatened
with Destruction.
The Fire Originates In the Union
Compress Warehouse.
The Flames Spread Rapidly and
Destroy Other Property.
Theory As to Its origin-Supposed to
Have Been Set Fire By Boy
Who Smoked-A Whole
Town Burned.
Special Dispatch to the Appeal.

cICVlhl IlNIulCn 10 INC Appeal
LITTLE Rock, Ark, Nov. IA fire
broke out ut o'clock this afternoon in the
Union cotton compress, at the foot OF
Main street. II is still burning
ferccly in a district bounded by Elm,
Cumberland and Louisiana streets and
the Arkansas river, embracing four blocks,
which were used almost exclusively for
the storage Of cotton. When the fire first
broke out the wind was blowing almost
gale from the north, and the destruction
OF the business portion OF the city seemed
an inevitable certainty; but almost in
stantly, as il by divine intervention, the
wind veered TO the north.
A faint ray of hope sprang up where, a
moment before,
DESPAIR RESTED IN EVERY BREAST.
Before the change OF the wind the flames
were carried directly against the west end
business houses of the city, and the dense
volumes Of flame, heat and smoke drove
back the thousands Of citizens who were
using their every effort TO assist the brave
but inadequate fire brigade. The build
ings on Fifth street were in flames from time
TO time, which were eXtinguishcd as often
rs they arose by the efforts Of the citizens
and firemcn. From the roof OF the Arkan-
sas Life, State Wheel and Enterprise
Office n comprehensive view OF the burn
ing district was obtained. This Office is in
the center Of the threatened district, and
overlooked the fire. The office, as were
Its neighbors, was
SEVERAL TIMES on FIRE,
but was soon put out through the efforts Of
its employees. The fire, as stated, covered
about four blocks, over which il spread in
less than ten minutes from its first discov-
cry. II is said TO have originated from a
match in the hands OF n boy sitting on the
steps Of the warehouse leading 10 the river
from the foo, OF Main street, he hay
ing ignitcd the luciier for the pur-
pose Of smoking. The flames from
that spark spread with unprecedented
rapidly and though the entire fire
department was at once summoned,
AmALF MILLION DOLLARS
worth Of property was in flames almost ere
the iirst drop OF water was thrown. The
trcmcn and citizens worked like slaves,
hut so far ~ the cotton was concerned
their efforts were useless, and at
this moment (N25 o'clock the skies
over the city OF Little Rock are red.
dcncd hy the glare from the glowing
cmbprs 81 what, but q few short hours ago,
held large part of the wealth within this
city. Great rs the damage was, the pco-
plc return thanks that the loss was not
more. for ut one time Il required but q
breath 10 carry the flame broadcast
throughout the city, and Little Rock
would now indeed be- city Ol
mourning with destruction and
dcsolalon on every hand. The
properly destroyed consisted OF $500
bales oi cotton owned 10y the Union
cotton compress company. and 300 bales
belonging 10 Charles I. Martin q Go. This
cotton was valued at So per bale, and is
said to have been fully Insured. There
was also some half DOZEN warehouses and
salo--rooms burned. The athletic asspcia.
ton b0at-housc and one or two small
dwellings were Cngulicd in the flames,
The gas works, situated on the corner ID
Elm and Cumberland streets, had mar
row escape, the flames bcing kept back
ny srrrRuuM,N EFFORTS.
Mai. John u. Adams, the owner, Whor
the flames were cnCrO1ching upon th'
premises, told q crowd ui workers that hi
would give $500 for the removal II dan
rcrously near dwelling. Almus
instantly the structure melted away
and ~ q consequence the gas works an
furnishing lights for the city tonight a
usual. II Is impossible Ia ascertain th'
loss 10 the merchants on Markham street
~ nearly everybody ior six or eight blocks
moved 6ul, and all were more or less dam
aged by the removal, 10y brcakagc, thief
and water. II il no cNnggcratiOn 70 "a!
the loss will foot mp 100000.
lOp.m.-Thc Grc il now under control
and many an exhausted spirit has gon
home 10 rest